Mechanical control means for a clothes drier cylinder



y 1957 A. L. REITER 2,798,304

MECHANICAL CONTROL. MEANS FOR A CLOTHES DRIER CYLINDER Filed April 20,1954 5 Shee ts-Sheet 1 jnyenibr Qlxanakrzlfie 22 57" A. L. REITER July9, 1957 MECHANICAL CONTROL MEANS FOR A CLOTHES DRIER CYLINDER FiledApril 20, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 E Glaxczncierl. Feiier oniiwv A. L.REITER July 9, 1957 MECHANICAL CONTROL MEANS FOR A CLOTHES DRIERCYLINDER Filed April 20, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 [nu 672237 dzexahder'l..5 6.2527

July 9, 1957 A. RElTER 2,798,304

MECHANICAL CONTROL MEANS FOR A CLOTHES DRIER CYLINDER Filed April 20,1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 A. L. REITER 2,798,304

MECHANICAL CONTROL MEANS FOR A CLOTHES DRIER CYLINDER July 9, 1957 5Shets-Sheet 5 Filed April 20. 1954 MECHANICAL CONTROL MEANS FOR ACLOTHES DRIER CYLINDER Alexander L. Reiter, Eifingham, IlL, assignor toBorg- Warner Corporation, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of IllinoisApplication April 20, 1954, Serial No. 424,468

13 Claims. (Cl. 34-91) This invention relates, in general, to laundryapparatus, and has particular reference to a mechanical control meansmanually operable by the user for selectively stopping or permittingrotation of a clothes drier cylinder in order to afford either drying offabrics by maintaining the cylinder stationary or tumbling the fabricsby permitting the cylinder to revolve.

Otherwise stated, the instant invention is concerned with a mechanicalcontrol means for a clothes drier cylinder adapted for advantageousincorporation in a domestic or household drier of the charactercompletely disclosed in my copending patent application, Serial No.424,318, filed April 20, 1954, and entitled Automatic Drying Apparatus,and which is designed for effective operation in drying of even the mostdainty fabrics.

It is well known that certain fabrics are not conducive to tumbling inthe conventional revolving cylinder type drier. Moreover, certainfabrics cannot withstand the high temperatures normally employed inconventional driers of this general class. Furthermore, in order tofacilitate the drying of fabrics and particularly fabrics which havebeen washed by a conventional washing machine or by hand, it isdesirable not only to remove the surplus water from the fabrics, but itis also desirable to further dry the clothes by circulating airthereover and therethrough, the air so circulated may be either warmedby a heater or may be air of room temperature under certain conditionsto favorably effect drying of the fabrics.

Accordingly, an important object and accomplishment of the presentinvention is to provide means including :a selector whereby the user maychoose to have passed through the drier either heated air or air of roomtemperature.

A further important object and accomplishment of the invention is toprovide a clothes drier of the type hereinbefore described and havingincorporated means whereby the user may select to have the drum rotateto tumble the clothes or cause said drum to be held stationary to effecta so-called static drying with a further selection by the user as towhether it is desired to have either heated air or room temperature airpass through the cylinder.

In connection with the above, another important object andaccomplishment of the invention is to provide a drier havingincorporated therein conveniently accessible means, whereby the user mayselectively cause the drum to rotate or be maintained stationary.

A further object and accomplishment of the invention is to provide in aclothes drier of the type described a driving arrangement which issimple in -construction, foolproof in operation, and which providesrelatively quiet operation effective to rotate the drum and drive themechanical air moving means to effect a relatively large volume of airmovement through said cylinder and over and through the clothescontained therein.

In one of its aspects, the present invention contemplates a clothesdrier having incorporated therein air mov- Patented July 9, 1957 ingmeans directly associated with the rotatable drum, the air moving meanscomprising a relatively large fan assembly driven by the same drivingmechanism as that of the drum and effective to cause the passage of anunusually large amount of air through the drum for effec tive wiping ofthe clothes contained therein to more efficiently remove the moisturecontent therein, the relatively large volume of air passing through thedrum assuring safe, fast, uniform drying for every fabric.

Additional objects, features and advantages of the invention disclosedherein will be apparent to persons skilled in the art after theconstruction and operation are understood from the within description.

It is preferred to accomplish the various objects of this invention andto practice the same in substantially the manner as hereinafter morefully described, and as more particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings forming a part hereof and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a clothes drier embodying the featuresof the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the interior of the drier cabinetdepicted in Fig. 1 with the front panel thereof removed and partsthereof being shown in section to more clearly illustrate theconstruction thereof;

Fig. 3 is -a sectional view of the drier depicted in Figs. 1 and 2 andbeing taken substantially on the plane of the line 33 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a plan sectional view of the drier contemplated herein andbeing taken substantially on the plane of the line 44 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view through the rotatable drum drive shaft andsupporting means therefor and including mounting structure for the airf-an contemplated by this invention;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view of a drum lock contemplated bythis invention effective to lock said drum for stationary drying withouttumbling;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the drum lock depicted in Fig. 6 and beingtaken substantially on the plane of the lines 7-7 in Figs. 2 and 6.

The drawings are to be understood .to be more or less of a schematiccharacter for the purpose of illustrating and disclosing a typical orpreferred form of the improvements contemplated herein, and in thedrawings like reference characters identify the same parts in theseveral views.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention depicted in Figs. 1, 2, 3,4 and 5, the drier contemplated by this invention comprises, in general,the component part assemblies respectively indicated in their entiretyby the letters as follows: A cabinet A exemplifying the externalappearance of the automatic drying machine as shown in Fig. 1 and beinghereafter referred to simply as a clothes drier; a clothes drum Bdisposed within the cabinet A and revolvable on a substantiallyhorizontal axis and effective to tumble the fabrics disposed therein; anair moving fan assembly C axially disposed with'respect to the drum Band effective to cause a relatively large volume of air to pass throughsaid drum B for contact with the. fabrics disposed therein forabsorption of moisture. whereupon said moisture is conveyed outwardlyand away from the machine with said air; a driving mechanism assembly Deffective to cause rotation of said drum B and said air moving fanassembly C; a static dry control- B associated with said drum B andeffective to control rotation or nonrotation of said drum responsive tomanual operation of said static dry control means by the user asdesired; an air heating assembly F over and through which'ambient air isdrawn by said air moving fan as sembly C effective to raise thetemperature of said ambient air before entry thereof into said drum Bwhereby said air will be more effective to absorb moisture in thefabrics contained in said drum B; a lint trap assembly G eifective tofilter out lint contained in the air passing from said clothes drumbefore it is discharged from the drier to provide substantiallylint-free air at the discharge openings; air discharge ports H providinga -way vent system permitting flush-to-wall installation in any locationwithout special fitting and whereby said drier may be vented from leftor right sides, from rear or bottom of the cabinet, or direct exhaustthrough the front of the machine by tipping the hinged base panel to adesired open position; a supporting structure I for the operatingmechanism disposed within the cabinet and including support means forthe driving mechanism assembly D; and a timer mechanism I adapted toregulate the operation of the drier with respect to a selected dryingtime and permitting selection by the user of drying only by air or byair with heat, the timer mechanism I including the selector switchcooperating with said static dry control means E whereby the user hasfinger-tip choice of drying fabrics (l) by employing heated air, or (2)air alone, (3) with the drum revolving or (4) maintained in a staticcondition by operation of the static dry control means E as selected bythe user.

Attention is directed to Fig. 1 wherein there is illustrated the cabinetA which houses the entire mechanism and control system therefor andwhich comprises a cover 20, a front panel 21, side panels respectivelyindicated at 22 and 23, and a control panel 24 forming a part of andprojecting upwardly from the cover as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 4.

In Figs. 1 and 3, it can be seen that the front panel 21 is providedwith a hinged door 25 to form the closure member for an opening 26through which clothes or other fabric articles to be dried may beintroduced to the machine. The hinged door 25 is so disposed withrespect to the opening 26 that it will be flush with the surface of thefront panel 21 when it is in its closed position. One or more metalstraps 27 pivotally disposed in mountings secured to the inside surfaceof the front panel 21 serve to provide a hinged mounting for the accessdoor 25 with respect to the front panel 21. 1

On the left-hand side of the control panel 24 there is disposed acontrol switch knob 30 which provides a means for manually selectivelycontrolling (1) air dry or (2) air dry with heat as desired by the user.The construction and operation of the control switch 30 will be morefully described hereinafter.

On the right-hand side of the control panel 24 there is disposed acontrol knob 33 which provides a means for manually regulating the timerI. The length of the It is notable that both the control switch 30 andthe control knob 33 are shown as being disposed on the panelled surface24 so that they provide no obstruction to the operator in the use of thetop surface 20 or in the introduction of the articles to be dried to themachine, or their removal therefrom.

Particular attention is directed to Fig. 1, wherein there is clearlyillustrated a recess 35 arranged adjacent the back portions of the driercabinet, this recess being adaptablefor convenient receipt of pipes,wiring cables and the like so that the rear portions 36 of the top ofthe cabinet A may be positioned so as to be in engagement with a wall orthe like to provide continuity when the drier is disposed in kitchenand/or laundry cabinet arrangements and yet provide, by means of therecess 35, for accommodation of obstructions running horizontally alongthe wall which could be, supply pipes and/ or electrical conduits andthe like.

An angularly disposed recessed toe plate 37 is provided in the lowerfront portions of the cabinet as shown I and/or laundry cabinetarrangement.

in Figs. 1, 3 and 7. This also is to provide obvious advantages ofutility, and yet giving design considerations to uniformity when thedrier is disposed in a kitchen Moreover, the recessed toe plate 37 ishinged to the lower regions of the cabinet A and is movable betweenopened and closed positions respectively illustrated in dotted lines andin full lines in Fig. 7. The opening of said recessed toe plate and linttrap access door 37 provides one of five possible means for venting thedrier and will be more fully described hereinafter.

Attention is now directed to Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5 wherein there isclearly disclosed the structural support I which comprises a base formedof sheet steel members indicated in their entirety by the numeral 40 andsuitably formed and interconnected by welding or the like to define asubstantially box-like base having disposed at the four corners thereofsuitable adjustable legs as at 50 adaptable to provide a levelling meansfor the drier when placed in operative position on a floor or the like,and a superstructure formed of suitably bent sheet steel member 51arranged vertically to provide a supporting structure for portions ofthe driving mechanism assembly D and the air heating assembly F.

It can be seen in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 that the lower portions of thecabinet A are secured to and supported by the members 40 of the base.Thus, it can be seen that the supporting structure I is a relativelyself-contained unit, and is constructed so as to place the center ofgravity in the lower portions of the drier which is to provideadvantageous stabilization of the drier in operation, thereby to reducenoise and objectionable vibration to the minimum.

It is important to note that it is highly desirable in clothes driers ofthe class contemplated herein to provide a drum effective to causeadvantageous tumbling of the clothes so that the air passing through thedrum advantageously wipes the clothes to more efficiently remove themoisture content therein, thereby providing and assuring safe, fast,uniform drying for every fabric.

In this connection, particular attention is invited to Figs. 2, 3 and 5wherein the drum B contemplated by the present invention is set forth indetail and may comprise, in general, a cylindrical metal shell 60 madeof a solid, imperforate piece of metal in contrast to the usual wiremesh screen heretofore employed, this imperforate constructionpreventing accumulation of lint which has always been present inperforated cylindrical drums, a forward drum end 61 suitably secured tothe front end of the cylindrical shell 60 and a portion of which is bentover the cylindrical shell 60 to define a tire 62, and said front drumend 61 defining a curved ring 63 provided with a flange 64 extendingradially inwardly towards the axis of the cylindrical shell 60, and arear end 65 having a central aperture 66 defined by an inturned flange67, said rear end 65 of said drum having secured thereto a wall 68projecting into the cylindrical shell 60 and adapted to define anannular chamber 69 adapted to contain portions of said air moving fanassembly C, and said wall 68 being formed to define elliptically shapedair passages 70, 71, and 72, each respectively having an air opening asat 73 which is in communication with the annular chamber 69, and bafilemeans as at 74 and 75 effective to pick up clothes and carry themupwardly during rotation of the drum until a high point is reachedwhereupon the clothes are dropped to the lower portions of the cylinderand are picked up by another bafile to repeat this cycle.

In order to further reinforce the rear end of the drum, there isprovided the 'conically shaped depressed portions 78 providing amounting means for a hub 79 which is secured to the conically shapedportions 73 by means of bolts such as at 80. The hub 79 is provided witha central through aperture 81 adapted to receive a driven shaft 82having an axially extending groove 83 disposed onthe. periphery thereof,said groove being adapted to receive end portions 84 of a set screw 85received into a threaded aperture 86in said hub 79, thereby maintainingsaid shaft 82 in fixed relationship with respect to the hub 79 which iscarried in fixed relationship with respect to the conical shapedportions 78 forming a part of the rear wall of the drum B.

As may best be seen in Figs. 2 and 3, the flange 64 of the drum B has aplurality of apertures asat- 90 in an annular array as shown, theseapertures being in open communication with an air chamber 91 whichsurrounds the access opening 26 to provide an air conduit directingmoisture and lint laden air toward the lint screen G. The chamber 91 isformed of sheet metal plates to define a relatively air tight conduit.

It is notable that the air chamber 91 remains stationary while theflange 64 rotates with the drum B. In order to effectively seal theserelatively movableparts, there is provided a felt seal 94 fixedlysecured to an outside surface of the air chamber 91 by means of a clamp95 so that the projecting end of the annular felt seal 94 is in intimateengagement with portions of the curved ring 63, thereby providing aneffective air seal between these movable parts.

In order to further seal the chamber 91, there is provided an annularfelt seal 96 carried by an annular flange 97 integral with the flange 64whereby said seal will remain stationary while the drum B rotates.

The opening 26 in the front panel 21 is formed to define a plurality ofpanels. In Fig. 3 it can be seen that the access door 25 comprises innerand outer panels respectively indicated at and 106, these panels beingsuitably bent to define flanges which are suitably welded or otherwisesecured to provide an integral door. As

may best be seen in Fig. 1, the door is of a substantially square shape.Accordingly, portions of the opening 26 adjacent the door 25 are of asubstantially square shape in order to accommodate the door as shown inFig. 3.

Arranged to fit and be attached to the annular circular shaped portionsof the opening 26 is a seal formed of rubber or the like and havingportions 111 adapted to engage the inner panel 105 of the door 25.Secured to the upper regions of the annular seal 11-0 is an illuminatinglamp fixture 113 adapted to provide suitable illumination in the drum Bso that the user can readilyidentify the fabrics disposed therein. Thelamp is controlled by a door switch 114 (Fig. l) which is spring pressedto a normally closed position and upper left-hand portions of the door25 are adapted to engage a plunger of the switch 114 upon closing of thedoor which will cause said switch to be opened and the current to thelamp 113 will be interrupted to shut off the lamp. Upon opening the door25, the switch will be closed by virtue of the spring means disposedtherein, thereby to light the lamp 113 so that the user may convenientlyview the inside of the drum.

As may best be seen in Figs. 2 and 3, the air openings 73 each isprovided with :a U-shaped wire 115 secured to the wall 68 by means ofscrews or rivets as at 116 .to provide an obstruction preventing clothesor fabrics disposed in the drum from entering into the opening 73.

Thus, it can be seen that the drum B is cylindrical in form defined bythe imperforate cylindrical wall 60 and which is provided with new andimproved air entry means comprising the openings 73 and the ellipticallyshaped air chambers 70, 71, and 72 which effectively cooperate with thecylindrical wall 60 to efficiently distribute the air throughout thecylinder for advantageous contact with the clothes disposed thereinwhereby to more rapidly and eiiiciently cause absorption of moisture bythe air to assure rapid, safe and effective drying of the fabrics.

It is important to note that it is highly desirable in clothes driers ofthe class contemplated herein to provide a drive mechanism whichis quietinoperation and has a minimum of vibration.

In this connection, particular attention is invited to Figs. 2, 3' and 4wherein the driving mechanism assembly D contemplated by the presentinvention is set forth in detail and may comprise, ingeneral, an idlerwheel 120 having a shaft 121 suitably journalled in and carried by thesupport plate 40 of the supporting structure I and so arranged that theperiphery of the Wheel 1211 is in intimate engagement with the tire 62,the driven shaft 82 as hereinbefore described, a drive pulley mounted onthe shaft 125 remotely from the wheel 124, a drive pulley 132 rotatablymounted on the driven shaft 82 (Fig. 5) for relative rotationtherebetween, a drive pulley 133 mounted on a drive shaft 134 of anelectric motor 135, and an endless V-belt 138 suitably mounted on thedrive pulleys 130, 132 and 133 as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5.

The motor 135 is carried by a bracket 136 which is hinged to asupporting bracket (not shown) secured to the lower frame structure ofthe drier. A spring .139 one end 140 of whichbeing attached to portionsof the-bracket 136 and the other end 141 of which is secured to thelower frame assembly of the clothes drier, whereby to provide aresilient force urging pivotal movement of the motor in a generallydownwardly direction in order to facilitate at all times proper tensionof the V-belt 38 in its driving contact with the drive pulleys 136, 132and 133.

Attention is invited to Fig. 5 which is an enlarged view of portions ofthe driving mechanism assembly D. It can be seen that the shaft 82 isfixedly secured to the drum B and is rotatable therewith by means of theset screws 85 disposed in the hub 79 which is carried by portions of therear wall of the drum B. Carried by the vertical support 51 is a bracket145 adapted to support a sintered powdered metal bearing 146 in whichouter end portions 147 of the shaft 82 are effectively journalled. Inorder to prevent. relative axial movement of the shaft 82 with respectto the bearing 146 there is provided a washer 148, and a snap ring 149disposed in a groove 150 in the shaft 82. It is to be noted that thepowdered metal bearing 146 is. generally spherical in configuration. Theshape of bracket portions 145a, supporting the bearing 146, arecomplementary to the bearing configuration so that the shaft 82, thebearing 146, and thus the cylinder 66 are pivotal with respect to thebracket 145 in the manner of a universal joint.

As may best be seen in Fig. 5, the air moving fan assembly C is mountedupon the shaft 82 for relative rotation therebetween. It is notable thatthe shaft 82 will rotate in one direction while the fan assembly C willrotate in the opposite direction. In order to accomplish this there isprovided a bronze bearing having a rub ber sleeve 156 encased in asuitable cover or case 157. In like manner, there is also provided asecond bronze bearing. 166. having a rubber sleeve 161 encased in acover or case 162. It is notable that the bearings 155 and are disposedin spaced relationship. Surrounding the shaft 82 in the space betweenthe bearings 155 and 160 there is disposed an oil soaked wick felt 165arranged to cooperate with the oil grooves 166 and 163 in the shaft 82so that lubrication is effectively provided to the bronze bearings 155and 160. Adjacent the end portions of the bearing 160 there is disposeda felt seal 167 maintained in its proper position as shown by a snapring 169 encased in a housing 171) and operable to effectively preventlubrication from running axially along and outwardly of said shaft 82.

The drive pulley 132 is mounted on a hub 175 by means of bolts as at 176which also secure to the hub 175 an annular fan blade support 177 havingattached thereto adjacent the periphery thereof projecting blades asat.178, 179, 180, 181. It is notable that the hub 175 is suitablyjournalled on the shaft 82 by means of the bearings 155 and 166. Aparticular advantage of the rubber sleeves. 156 and 161 is that theresiliency of the rubber permits hub 175 to pivot with respect to theshaft 82 about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.This freedom for apivotal movement of the hub 175 with rebe seen thatthe drum B is supported for rotation on the wheels 120 and 124, theperipheries of which are in engagemerit with the tire 62 so that thedrum B may effec 'tively rotate thereon. In Fig. 2 it can be seen thatthe wheel 120 is an idler wheel and is not driven by the driving meansbut merely acts as a support for the drum B.

However, the wheel 124 is driven through the shaft 125 by means of thepulley 130 which is caused to rotate by means of the V-belt 138 (Fig. 3)which in turn is rotated by the drive pulley 133 attached to the motorshaft 134. Accordingly, because the drier drum B rests upon the wheel124, the drum will be caused to rotate by rotation of the wheel 124,thereby to drive the drum to effectively tumble the fabrics containedtherein.

In Figs. 3 and 5 it can be seen that the rear end of the drum issupported by the centrally disposed shaft 82 which is journalled in thesintered powdered metal bearing 146; Because the shaft 82 is fixedlysecured to the drum B, it will rotate therewith and act as a drivenshaft, the rotation of the drum being accomplished by rotation of thewheel 124.

Because the driving mechanism for the drum B is interrelated with thedriving mechanism of the air moving fan assembly C, it can be seen thatwhen the drum rotates the air moving fan assembly will also beoperative. Movement of the endless V-belt 138 will cause rotativemovement of the pulley 132 and because the pulley 132 is secured to thehub 175 which in turn carries annular fan blade support 177, the airmoving fan assembly C will be caused to rotate.

Attention is invited to Fig. 3 wherein it can be seen that the airheating assembly F comprises, in general, a housing 200 formed of metalplates to define the shape as shown and to provide a bafile 201, wherebyto control the flow of ambient air for passage over and through anelectric heating element 202 suitably carried in a sheet metal frame 203which is attached to the vertical support 51, the sheet metal frame 203being formed to define a tunnel-like shape with the electric heatingelements as at 202 disposed therein. Ambient air is drawn by the airmoving fan assembly C through a plurality of apertures as at 205disposed in the rear enclosure panel 206 in the direction indicated bythe arrows, and through the opening 207 in the upper regions of thecabinet for passage into the housing 201 and through the tunnel-likeshaped enclosure 203 for contact with the heating elements 202 andthereafter through an aperture 208 in the vertical support 51.

Thus, the ambient air coming in contact with the heating elements 202will be raised in temperature for more effective absorption of themoisture contained in the fabrics disposed in the drum.

Although an electric heating element 202 is disclosed herein, it isobvious that other means may be employed for air heating such as, forexample, gas or the like.

The control of the operation of the heating elements 202 will be furtherdiscussed hereinafter in detail in the description of the wiring diagramillustrated in' Fig. 8.

It is important to note that this invention contemplates a drier havingrelatively low operating temperatures ranging from 110 F. to 140 F., themoisture in the fabrics when first deposited in the clothes drier beingeffective to maintain the operating temperature at 110 F. and as themoisture is withdrawn from the fabrics to a point where 90 percent ofthe moisture has been removed from the fabrics, the temperature rangewill rise to approximately 140 F. and a control means to be hereinafterdescribed will be effective to cause inoperation of the heating meanswhile the drum continues to rotate to tumble the clothes for effectiveflufiing' thereof and the air continues to pass thereover andtherethrough to effectively aerate the clothes for whatever length oftime to'which the timer has been set.

.As may best be seen in Figs. 3 andv 5, the air moving fan assembly Ccomprises the annular support 177 having fixedly disposed adjacent theperiphery thereof a plurality of fan blades 178, 179, 180 and 181,thesefan blades being arranged. in equally spaced relationship anddisposed in the chamber 69 defined by the rear end wall assembly of thedrum B.

It is notable that the drum B will rotate in one direction while the fanassembly C will rotate in a direction opposite to that of the drum.Thus, rotation of the fan assembly C effected by rotation of the pulley132 by means of the endless V-belt 138 through the motor drive pulley133 will cause ambient air to be drawn through the aperture 205 in theback panel 206 and through the opening 207 in the upper regions of thecabinet for passage through the housing 201 and in the tunnel-likeshaped enclosure 203 for contact with the air heating elements 202,through the opening 208 in the vertical support 51 and through theannular opening 66 in the rear wall of the drum B for passage throughthe openings 73 and into contact with the fabrics in the drum B wherethe air will absorb moisture contained in the fabrics and will be forcedoutwardly from the drum through the openings in the flange 64 at theforward end of the drum for discharge into the air chamber 91 fortransmittal to the lint trap assembly G disposed in the lower regions ofthe cabinet and thereafter outwardly from the cabinet via one of fivepossible vent openings H.

It is important to note that the vertical support 51 is provided with anannular opening 222 (Fig. 3) through which the shaft 82 and the assemblydisposed thereupon projects, this opening permitting ambient air of roomtemperature to be drawn into the chamber 69 by the fan where the ambientair is mixed and co-mingled with the heated air entering into thechamber 69 via the opening 208. The passage of ambient air of roomtemperature around and adjacent the driving assembly and the bearingsdisposed adjacent the opening 222 provides an effective means forcooling the bearings hereinbefore described and located in this generalregion.

Moreover, it is of particular importance to note that the air flow isconstantly away from the heating elements 202 which advantageouslyprovides safety in operation and substantially eliminates any questionsof fire hazards. Moreover, the relatively large volume of air affordedby the operation of the air moving fan assembly C slightly pressurizesthe drum B, whereby contact of the air with the fabrics contained in thedrum is effected more efliciently and more completely whereby moisturefrom the fabrics is more rapidly absorbed to effect drying of thefabrics quickly but at a relatively low temperature which is safe foreven the most dainty fabrics.

Suflice it to say, since the invention is not particularly concernedwith the precise construction of the complete automatic clothes drierherein described generally, and/ or its associated parts, they will notbe further described in detail, and it is deemed sufficient for allintentions and purposes herein contained to show only portions thereofadjacent to and cooperating with the mechanical control means with whichthe invention is particularly concerned. It is to be understood thatdetails of construction of such automatic clothes drier, and/or itsassociated parts, may be modified to suit particular conditions or tosatisfy the engineering genius of various competitive manufacturers, andI do not wish to be limited to the construction of these elements as setforth except where such construction particularly concerns the inventioncontemplated herein.

Having thus described, by way of example, a possible adaptation of themechanical control means for a clothes drier cylinder and havingdescribed the general environment surrounding'the adaptation, thespecific construction and function of the parts of said mechanicalcontrol 9 means whendisposed in an automatic clothes drier as hereindisclosed, will now be described in detail.

Static drive mechanism E In one of its most important aspects thepresent invention contemplates the provision of means whereby theoperator may conveniently andadvantageously cause nonrotation of thedrum B in order to dry certain fabrics which would be damaged by theusual tumbling'action universally employed by clothes driers. Theoperator may select by manual operation of the heat control switch knob30 to have either air dry or air dry with heat. By operating the staticdry control means E, the operator may further select whether the drumshould rotate or be maintained in a stationary position.

Attention is invited to Figs. 6 and 7, wherein there is disclosed thestatic dry control mechanism generally indicated' by the letter B andwhich may comprise, in general, a manually operable control handleindicated in its entirety by the numeral 230 and rotatably mounted inthe support 40,- a first bracket 231 fixedly secured to said support 40,a second bracket 232 hingedly mounted to said first bracket, anoperating lever 233 one end of which is pivotally connected to thesecond bracket 232 by means of a pivot pin 234 and the other end 235 ofwhich is adapted for engagement with the tire 62 surrounding theperiphery of the basket B, and a third bracket 236 also fixedly securedto the support 40 andadapted to act as a guide for the upper end regionsof the operating lever 233.

It can be seen in Fig. 7 that the operating handle 230 comprises thehandgrip 240 which is suitably mounted on a screw threaded shaft 241adapted to be received into a nut 242 welded or otherwise secured to thefirst bracket 231 as shown. Accordingly, manual rotation of the handle240 will cause axial movement of the screw threaded portions 241. Inorder to prevent removal of the screw threaded portions 241 from itsoperative position with respect to the nut 242, there is provided-awasher 243 which will become engaged with the exposed surface of the nut2'42 responsive to rotation of the handle 240 in a direction whereby thescrew threaded portions 241 will be caused to move outwardly of the nut242.

It is notable that the end portions 244 of the screw threaded portions241 are engageable with the second bracket 232 and manual rotation ofthe handle 240 in a direction whereby the screw threaded portions 241are moved inwardly of the nut 242 will force pivotal movement of thesecond bracket 232 with respect to the first bracket 231 on an axisdefined by the pivot pin 245 and, because of the pivotal interconnectionbetween the second bracket 232 and the operating lever 233 by means ofthe pivot pin 234, the operating lever will be caused to move upwardly,whereby the upper end portions 235 will become engaged with the tire 62of the drum B, whereby said drum will be raised slightly from its normalengagement with the drive wheel 124 and thereby remain stationary whilethe drive wheel 124 continues to rotate.

Manual operation of the handle 2% in a direction whereby the screwthreaded portions 241 will be moved axially outwardly of the nut 242will cause the second bracket 232 to assume its normal position andbecause of this movement the operating lever 233 will be moveddownwardly to a normally disengaged position with respect to the endportions 235 and the tire 62 of the drum B. It is notable that theweight of the drum B will cause said downward movement when permitted byrotation of the handle 240.

It can be seen in Fig. 7 that the first bracket is of a generallyU-shape and is fixedly secured to the support as by means of screws asat 250.

The second bracket is also of a generally U-shape and of a dimensionsomewhat smaller than the first bracket 231 so that the second bracket232 will fit into the confines of the generally U-shape of the firstbracket 231. The

to pivot pin 245 piv'otally interconnects the second bracket 233 withrespectto the first bracket 231.

In Figs. 6 and 7 it can be seen that the thirdbracket 236 isfixedlysecured to the support 40 by means of a screw as. at 251. Thisbracket isprovided witha depending flange 252 projecting away from the support 40and is provided with an aperture 253 adapted to receive the upper endregions of the operating lever 233. It is notable that the third bracket236 acts as a guide for the upper regions of the operating lever 233 soas to assure proper contact between the upper end 235 of the operat inglever 233 and the tire 62 of the drum B.

In order to provide access to the handle 240' the lint trap access door37 may be pivoted to its open position and the operator can thenmanually rotate the handle 240 to effect either static dry or drying ofthe fabrics by rotation of the drum which will tumble the fabricscontained therein.

Summary of operation The clothes drier contemplated herein is an indoorclothes drier advantageously applicable for domestic use in homes,apartment buildings and self-service laundries. It will damp dry anaverage eight to nine pound load of clothes (dry weight) ready forironing in approximately thirty minutes. It will completely dry anaverage washer load of clothes in approximately forty-five minutes.

The wet clothes are placed into the solid, smooth drum B which revolves":at 45 R. P. M., gently tumbling the clothes by means of three smoothbafiles as at 74 disposed within the drum B.

The clothes are dried by air which is drawn through a number of openings205 in the back panel 206 and through other openings to come in contactwith the air heating element 202. The heated air is then forced bypressure from the fan assembly C through the three ducts as at 73provided in the rear wall of the drum B, into the drum B proper andcirculated over and through the clothes contained therein. The heatedmoisture laden air is then expelled through the relatively smallopenings in the drum front wall where it is directed down through an airduct 91, through the lint screen 281 of the lint trap means G and intothe exhaust duct H. This type of circulation allows the use of arelatively high volume of air, resulting in an over-all cooler unit andincreased efficiency due to less heat leakage.

The drum B may be stopped by means of the static drive mechanism E whichis operable to lift the drum B up off the drive pulley 124. The staticdrive mechanism E is operated by a handle 240 located at the lower lefthand corner of the drier, in back of the lint trap access door 37.Turning the handle 240 clockwise lifts or stops the drum B. Turning thehandle. counterclockwise lowers the drum B on the drive pulley 124 andstarts the drum B revolving.

While I have illustrated preferred embodiments of my invention, manymodifications may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details ofconstruction set forth but wish to avail myself of all changes Withinthe scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Mechanical control apparatus for a laundry machine comprising acylinder rotatably mounted on a support and adapted for receivingfabrics to be tumbled therein, said cylinder having a front end and arear end, the rear end of said cylinder being pivotally connected tosaid support, and drive means supporting the front end of said cylinderand for rotating the cylinder, said mechanical control means comprisinga manually operable handle having :a shaft fixedly secured thereto, afirst bracket fixedly secured to the cylinder support, a second brackethingedly mounted on said first bracket, one end of said handle shaftbeing adapted for engagement with said second bracket upon manualrotation of said handle, and

an operating lever one end of which is pivotally con nected to saidsecond bracket and the other end of which is adapted for engagement withsaid cylinder to lift said cylinder off the drive means so that saidcylinder will remain stationary while said drive means continues tooperate.

2. Mechanical control apparatus for a laundry machine comprising acylinder rotatably mounted on a support and adapted for receivingfabrics to be tumbled therein, said cylinder having a front end and arear end, the rear 'end of said cylinder being pivotally connected tosaid support, drive means supporting the front end of said cylinder andfor rotating the cylinder, air translating means driven by said drivemeans for circulating air through the cylinder in contact with thefabrics, a heating means for imparting heat to the air prior to itsentry into the cylinder, a switch manually operable to open and closedpositions for respectively controlling energization and deenergizationof said heating means, said mechanical control means comprising amanually operable handle having a shaft fixedly secured thereto, :afirst bracket fixedly secured to the cylinder support, a second brackethingedly mounted on said first bracket, one end of said handle shaftbeing adapted for engagement with said second bracket upon manualrotation of said handle, and an operating lever one end of which ispivotally connected to said second bracket and the other end of which isadapted for engagement with said cylinder to lift said cylinder off thedrive means so that said cylinder will remain stationary while saiddrive means continues to operate said air translating means.

3. A laundry machine comprising a cylinder rotatably mounted on asupport and adapted for receiving fabrics to be tumbled therein, saidcylinder having :a front end and a rear end, the rear end of saidcylinder being pivotally connected to said support, drive meanssupporting the front end of said cylinder and for rotating the cylinder,a manually operable handle having a shaft fixedly secured thereto, afirst bracket fixedly secured to the cylinder support, a second brackethingedly mounted on said first bracket, one end of said handle shaftbeing adapted for engagement with said second bracket upon manualrotation of said handle, and an operating lever one end of which ispivotally connected to said second bracket and the other end of which isadapted for engagement with said cylinder to lift said cylinder off thedrive means so that said cylinder will remain stationary while saiddrive means continues to operate.

4. Laundry apparatus comprising a supporting frame, a clothes receivingcylinder, one end of said cylinder being substantially closed by a wall,said wall being provided with a shaft fixedly secured thereto andprojecting therefrom to define a central axis for said cylinder, saidshaft being pivotally and rotatably journalled in said supporting frame,means for precluding pivotal movement of said shaft, air moving fanmeans comprising a hub journalled on said shaft for independent relativerotation therebetween, an annular radially projecting vane supportfixedly secured to said hub, a plurality of vanes secured to said vanesupport in equal spaced relationship adjacent the periphery of said vanesupport, a pulley fixedly secured to said hub, and power means includingpower transmission means connected to said pulley for rotating said fanmeans on said shaft.

5. Laundry apparatus comprising a supporting frame, a clothes receivingcylinder having a substantially imperforate peripheral surface and anaxially aligned clothes receiving opening at one end, the other end ofsaid cylinder being substantially closediby a wall, said wall beingprovided with a shaft fixedly securedther'eto and projecting therefromto define a central axis for'said cylim der, said shaft being journalledin said supporting frame, air moving fan means mounted for independentrotation on said shaft, a plurality of bearings disposed between saidfan means and said shaft, resilient means positioned between each bearing and the portion of the fan means and power means including powertransmission means for rotating said air moving fan means on said shaft,said power transmission means including means for rotating said cylinderin a direction opposite to the rotation of said fan means and at adiiferent speed.

6. For laundry apparatus comprising a supporting frame, a clothesreceiving cylinder having an axially aligned clothes receiving openingat one end, the other end of said cylinder being substantially closed bya wall, a shaft fixedly secured to said wall and projecting therefromto' define a central axis for said cylinder, and said shaft beingjournalled in said supporting frame: air moving fan means disposedbetween the frame and the cylinder, said air moving fan means comprisinga hub journalled on said shaft for independent relative rotationtherebetween, automatic lubrication means disposed between the shaft andthe hub, an annular radially projecting vane support fixedly secured tosaid hub, a plurality of vanes secured to said vane support in equalspaced relationship adjacent the periphery of said vane support, apulley fixedly secured to said hub, and power means in cluding powertransmission means connected to said pulley for rotating said fan meanson said shaft.

7. The combination with a clothes receiving cylinder having a shaftfixedly secured thereto and projecting therefrom to define a centralaxis for said cylinder, of air moving fan means disposed coaxial withsaid cylinder and mounted for independent rotation on said shaft, atleast two bearing elements disposed between said fan means and saidshaft, automatic lubrication means adjacent said bearings and includingspiral grooves formed on the shaft for distributing lubricant to thebearings, power means including power transmission means for rotatingsaid air moving fan means on said shaft, and said power transmissionmeans including means for rotating said cylinder in a direction oppositeto the rotation of said fan means.

8. A clothes receiving cylinder having a shaft fixedly secured thereto,and projecting therefrom to define a central axis for said cylinder, incombination with air moving fan means comprising a hub surrounding saidshaft for independent relative rotation therebetween, said hub beingspaced radially from the shaft, resilient means disposed between the huband the shaft so as to align said hub and said shaft coaxially, anannular radially projecting vane support fixedly secured to said hub, aplurality of vanes secured to said vane support in equal spacedrelationship adjacent the periphery of said vane support, a pulleyfixedly secured to said hub, and power means including powertransmission mean connected to said pulley for rotating said fan meanson said shaft.

9. Air moving fan means for laundry apparatus comprising a hubjournalled on a shaft for independent relative rotation therebetween,said hub defining an elongated sleeve radially spaced from the shaft,resilient means disposed between the sleeve and the shaft to permit thesleeve to pivot with respect to said shaft about an axis transverse tothe longitudinal axis of said shaft, an annular radially projecting vanesupport fixedly secured to said hub, a plurality of vanes secured tosaid vane support in equal spaced relationship adjacent the periphery ofsaid vane support, a pulley fixedly secured to said hub, and power meansincluding power transmission means connected to said pulley for rotatingsaid fan means on said shaft. V I 7 j 10. Laundry apparatus comprising asupporting frame, a cylinder having a clothes receiving opening at theforward end and a wall at'the rear end provided with a plurality of airinlet openings, air heating means for heating air prior to its entryinto said cylinder through said air inlet openings, a pair of spacedwheels rotatably mounted on said supporting frame adjacent the forwardend of said cylinder and in engagement with the periphery of saidcylinder for rotatably supporting said cylinder at the forward endthereof, a shaft rotatably and pivotally journalled on said frame andsecured to the rear wall of said cylinder for supporting said cylinderat the rear end thereof, one of said wheels being mounted on a shaftcarried by said support frame, a pulley mounted on said shaft, fan meansrotatably journalled on said shaft coaxial with said cylinder andarranged to cause air to pass through said air inlet openings andaxially through said cylinder while it is rotated, said fan meansincluding a pulley fixedly secured thereto, motor means having a drivepulley, at least one belt mounted on said drive pulley and said shaftmounted pulley and said fan pulley effective to rotate said cylinder andsaid fan, and control means operable to raise the cylinder off saidwheels whereby said shaft is pivoted with respect to said frame, thenormal tension of said belt causing the fan means to pivot with saidshaft without disturbing the rotatable condition of said fan means.

11. Laundry apparatus comprising a supporting frame, a cylinder having aclothes receiving opening at the forward end and a wall at the rear endprovided with a plurality of air inlet openings, air heating means forheating air prior to its entry into said cylinder through said air inletopenings, a pair of spaced wheels rotatably mounted on said supportingframe adjacent the forward end of said cylinder and in engagement withthe periphery of said cylinder for rotatably supporting said cylinder atthe forward end thereof, a shaft rotatably and pivotally journalled onsaid frame and secured to the rear wall of said cylinder for supportingsaid cylinder at the rear end thereof, one of said wheels being mountedon a shaft carried by said support frame, a pulley mounted on saidshaft, fan means rotatably journalled on said shaft coaxial with saidcylinder and arranged to cause air to pass through said air inletopenings and axially through said cylinder while it is rotated, said fanmeans including a pulley fixedly secured thereto, motor means having adrive pulley, belt means mounted on said drive pulley and said shaftmounted pulley and said fan pulley effective to rotate said cylinder andsaid fan, and mechanical control means manually operable to pivot saidshaft with respect to said frame whereby said belt means causes the fanmeans to pivot with said shaft without disturbing the rotatablecondition of said fan means.

12. For laundry apparatus having a support frame, and a cylinder havinga clothes receiving opening at the forward end and a wall at the rearend provided with a plurality of air inlet openings: a pair of spacedwheels rotatably mounted on said supporting frame for rotatablysupporting said cylinder at the forward end thereof, driving meansconnected to one of said wheels whereby said cylinder is rotatedresponsive to rotation of said wheel by said driving means, a shaftrotatably and pivotally journalled on said frame and secured to the rearwall of said cylinder at the central axis thereof, said laundryapparatus having fan means rotatably journalled on said shaft coaxialwith said cylinder and arranged to cause air to pass through said airinlet openings and axially through said cylinder while it is rotated,said driving means for said cylinder including power transmission meansfor driving said fan means, and means for disengaging said cylinderdriving means whereby said shaft is pivoted about the frame and the fanmeans is pivoted with the shaft without disturbing the drivingconnection to said fan means.

13. For laundry apparatus having a supporting frame, and a cylinderhaving a clothes receiving opening at the forward end and a wall at therear end provided with a plurality of air inlet openings: a pair ofspaced wheels rotatably mounted on said supporting frame adjacent theforward end of said cylinder and in engagement with the periphery ofsaid cylinder for rotatably supporting said cylinder at the forward endthereof, a shaft rotatably and pivotally journalled on said frame andsecured to the rear wall of said cylinder for supporting said cylinderat the rear end thereof, one of said wheels being mounted on a shaftcarried by said support frame, a pulley mounted on said shaft, saidlaundry apparatus having fan means rotatably journalled on said drivenshaft coaxial with said cylinder and arranged to cause air to passthrough said air inlet openings and axially through said cylinder whileit is rotated, said fan means including a pulley fixedly securedthereto, motor means having a drive pulley, and single belt meansmounted on said drive pulley and said shaft mounted pulley and said fanpulley effective to rotate said cylinder and said fan, and means forpivoting said fan means with said driven shaft whereby said cylinder isheld stationary and said fan means remains rotatable.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,800,228 Pierce Apr. 14, 1931 2,424,737 Broglie July 29, 1947 2,486,058Patterson et a1 Oct. 25, 1949 2,500,062 Clark Mar. 7, 1950 2,503,329Geldhof et al Apr. 11, 1950

